Control valve



March 31,1942. P, H, THO P ON 2,277,998

CONTROL V LVE Filed May 8, 1939 INVENTOR ATTORNEY PARKE H. THOMPSON Patented 33, 1942 CONTROL VALVE Parke H. Thompson, Millville, N. J., assignor of thirty-five per cent to York, N. Y.,

Russell Maguire, New

- Application May 8, 1939, Serial No. 272,372

13 Claims.

This invention relates generally to expansion valves and, more particularly, to a certain new and useful improvement in thermostatically controlled expansion valves particularly adapted for use in connection with refrigeration systems.

My invention has for its primary objects the provision of a control valve of the type stated which is simple, compact, rugged, and durable in structure, which may be economically constructed, which may be applied directly to the point of temperature control, which'is capable of maintaining accurate control over a relatively wide range of load conditions and temperature characteristics, which obviates the use and employment of remotely located thermostatic control elements, and which is highly efilcient in the performance of its intended functions.

along its free margin, as at 5, in the provision of a weld-seat'for purposes presently appearing.

Co-operable with the shell e in the formation of an intake or strainer chamber a, is a wallproviding member m, which includes a tubular portion or duct 6 welded or otherwise fixed within, and extending into the shell e co-axially throughythe neck 4, the duct 6 being sized for accommodating, and for conventional welded or other connection with, an end-portion of the evaporator inlet-pipe F. At the inner end within the shell e of the duct 6, the member m is extended first outwardly toward the shell wall 2 and then laterally toward the shell end wall wall 2 is integrally bent or otherwise formed to And with the above and other objects in view,

my invention resides in the novel ,features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims. I

In the accompanying drawing Figure l diagrammatically illustrates a control valve embodying my present invention in operative relation with a refrigeration system;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the valve, taken approximately along the line 2-2, Figure l;

Figure 3 is a similar view of the valve, taken approximately along the line 3-3, Figure 2; and

Figures 4 and 5 are transverse sectional views of the valve, taken along the lines 61-5 and 55, respectively, Figure 2.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawing, which illustrates apreferred embodiment of my present invention, A designates a compressor of any standard or approved type, disposed and arranged for discharging liquid refrigerant through a line B to a suitable condenserreceiver C, which latter, in

turn, functions to deliver and supply the refrigerant through a line D to a control valve E of my invention. From the valve E, the liquid refrigerant is directed through a line F 'into the particular evaporator system G, for return in due course through a suction line H to the compressor A, all as'best seen in Figure 1.

The valve E preferably comprises a r1gid outer somewhat bell-shaped shell or housing e constructed of any suitable, preferably metallic, ma-

terial and including an annular side wall 2 and an end wall 3 centrally provided with a laterally presented neck 4, the shell wall 2 preferably flaring outwardly and being chamfered at and 3 in the provision of an opposite end wall portion I. The member m then adjacent the shell provide an annular or ring portion 8 disposed approximately in parallel relation to the shell wall 2. From the outer margin of the ring 8, the member m is further extended in the provision of a lateral chamber and wall completing flange 9, which is disposed approximately in the plane of, and at its outer margin complementarily chamfered for Welded or other fixed connection with the shell wall 2 at, the weld-seat 5, all as best seen in Figures 2 and 3.

Suitably located upon, and opening into the chamber a of, the shell e, is an inlet tubular or pipe extension it adapted for conventionally re ceiving the refrigerant supply line D, and so arranged annularly about the duct 6 and disposed within the intake chamber a preferably in complementarily shaped spaced relation to the inner face of the housing e for straining all incoming refrigerant, is a suitable screen or the like i I. I

Marginally secured to and upon the outer face of the end wall flange 9 and intermediately disposed in spaced relation over, and forming anoutlet chamber b with, the chamber end wall m, is a diaphragm i2 centrally deformed, as at I3, for co-operably receiving an annular pressure disk or plate It centrally apertured, as at i5, and laterally flanged, as at l5, along its outer periphery for engagement with a companion oppositely disposed annular flange it upon the inner periphery of a fiat annular spring H, in turn, provided upon its outer periphery with an oppositely disposed lateral rim l8 curled or bent over along its free margin in the provision of an arcuate lip IQ for rocking abutment against the arcuate corner-face of the chamber end wall 'm provided by its portions 'l8 and thereby providing an auxiliary chamber 1) within the outlet chamber b.

The rim B8 of the annular spring i1 is provided with a relatively small aperture or orifice 20 for communicating the outlet chamber b and the auxiliary chamber b, as best seen in Figure 3 and for purposes presently more fully appearing, and, as also presently more fully appearing, the spring I! functions to bias the valve in the closing direction and control the difference in pressure above and below the diaphragm i2 required to open the valve to a load satisfying position. The spring I? may or may not be sheathed in some resilient plastic substance, such as Neorene, to improve its sealing properties in keeping evaporating refrigerant from the upper side of diaphragm l2.

Formed preferably integrally with, and extending laterally from, the pressure disk I l about the margin of its aperture i5, is a pin-carrying member 22 preferably of rectangular cross-section, the member 22 having four side walls 23 and a top or end wall 2 5 and having a diagonal dimension substantially equal to the inside diametral size of the duct 3 for slidable or shiftable engagement at its longitudinal corners 25 with the inner face of the duct 5, all as best seen in Figure l.

In two of its opposed side walls 23, the pincarrying member 22 is provided longitudinally with suitably elongated registering apertures 26 for loosely embracing a transverse tube 27 extending diametrically across the duct 6, the tube 27 being at its ends securely mounted in, and projecting through the side walls of, the duct 6 for communication with the intake or strainer chamber a. At a suitable location upon its wall within the bore of the pin-carrying member 22, the tube 27 is cut-away or apertured, as at 23, in the provision of a valve-seat, all as best seen in Figures 2 and 3 and for purposes presently appearing,

In its end wall 24, the member 22 is provided with a preferably circular aperture 29 disposed in co-axial alignment with the valve-seat aperture 28, and loosely extending through the aperture 29, is a valve-pin 30 preferably integrally provided at its inner end with a conical valvepoint 3| for seating in the tube 2'! at its aperture 28. Adjacent its upper or outer end, the

' valve-pin 30 is provided with an annular groove 32 for retentive engagement by inwardly presented tongues 33 upon a cupped spring washer 34 having abutting engagement along its outer peripheral'marginwith the outer face of the pin carrier end wall 24 for permitting the valvepoint 3! to center itself automatically in the instead of welding, the shell flange 5, the chamber end wall flange 8, the diaphragm i2, and the channel 40 for seating engagement with the revalve-seat 28 when the valve-pin 30 is in closed position, all as best seen in Figures 3 and 4.

In its other side walls 23, the valve-pin carrier 22 is provided with opposed registering apertures 35 for permitting free flow of the refrigerant from the valve-seat aperture 28 into the duct 6 and thence through the line F to the evaporator G.

36 designates an end cap, which is cupped or peripherally deformed, as at 31, and provided marginally with an annular flange 38 for overlying abutment upon the peripheral portion of the outwardly presented face of the diaphragm I2, in which position the cap 36 is tightly secured and sealed preferably by welding in the formation with the diaphragm l2 of a sealed chamber 0 for accommodating and receiving a. suitable thermal-charge in the nature of temperature responsive medium 39, such as an expansible liquid or gas. It will, of course, be evident that,

Gil

turn or suction line H of the evaporator G, and welded or otherwise rigidly secured upon the outer face of the end cap 36 on opposite sides of the channel 59, is a pair of suitable clamp straps t! each provided with a clamping bolt 32 for securely retaining the entire'valve structure E in operative position.

In operation, the valve E is clamped to the suction line H in a position such that the temperature responsive substance 33 in the chamber 0 is in direct contact with the end cap 36. With an increase in suction temperature, the temperature responsive substance 39 in the chamber 0 expands, deflecting the diaphragm i2 and the pressure plate is inwardly against the tension of the spring ii and the pressure in chambers 72, b. As the pressure plate it is deflected or shifted inwardly, the pin-carrier 22 is also shifted inwardly and the valve point 3i moved out of engagement with its seat 28.

The refrigerant meanwhile has flowed from the liquid receiver C through the intake line D and through the strainer it into the chamber a. As the seat-forming aperture 28 is opened by the withdrawal of the valve-point 3B, the refrigerant flows through the tube 2?, the aperture 28, and the apertures 26, 35, of the pin-carrier 22 into the outlet chamber b and then through the line F and system G.

The refrigerant, on flowing through the aperture 28, expands and a certain amount of socalled flash gas is formed, which forces its way into the chamber b and through the spring aperture 20 into the chamber b', forming a so-called vapor lock thereby functioning as an insulating medium to prevent any of the cold expanding refrigerant from coming in contact with the diaphragm l2.

As was previously pointed out, the chamber c is provided with any suitable thermal charge and, as is well recognized in the refrigeration industry, the most commonly employed thermal charges consist of a quantity of the refrigerant itself introduced into the chamber at some selected temperature and pressure. In connection with the present invention, it must be borne in mind that the pressure exerted upon a diaphragm by a refrigerant charged thermal element corresponds to the average temperature on the surface of the liquid component of that charge.

'It will thus be evident that, when the valve E is provided with such a thermal charge and is mounted by means of the clamp straps 4| upon the suction line H, the liquid rests upon the upwardly presented inner face of the cap 36, creating another or auxiliary insulating gaseous layer upon the under side of the diaphragm, augmenting the insulating action ofthe vapor lock.

Conversely, with a reduction in temperature of the suction gas, the pressure exerted upon the diaphragm I 2 by the temperature responsive medium 39 'will be reduced and the pressure plate I will move downwardly under the influence or bias of the spring I1 and the pressure in chambers b, b, seatingthe valve-point 3| and thereby restricting the seat-forming aperture or orifice ing relationship ae'r'mee 28 and cutting off or reducing the flow of reirigerant to the evaporaton-G.

It should be specifically noted that the expansion of the refrigerant through the valveseat aperture 23 takes place within the confines of the duct 6, which is entirely surrounded by the inlet chamber a. In addition, the portions of the outlet chamber b which are adjacent the diaphragm i2 are in intimate heat-interchangwith the inlet chamber a across the wall-forming me her 5. Consequently, the warm supply refrigerant in the chamber a maintains the exteriorly exposed portions of the valve in relatively warm condition, thereby preventing the formation of any frost or otherwise materially interfering with the proper functioning and operation of the valve.

It will be evident that, by my-lnvention, I provide a control valve of extreme simplicity and of a design lending itself readily to quantity production methods. In addition, the valve-seating structure of my invention is uniquely designed to provide perfect alignment for and maintenance of correct seating pressures on the'materials used. The valve is no -adjustable and is designed primarily for controlling refrigerant flow to evaporators in so-called package units, in which the valve is applied as a part of the factory production methods. The use of all metal parts and the absence of unsealed joints makes the valve especiallysuitable for low temperature application in connection with ice-cream and frosted food cabinets.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the valve may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a control valve, an inverted cup-like shell, a division wall mounted in and extending across the shell-in spaced relation to the bottom wall thereof and having a tubular neck projecting through and sealed in the bottom wall of the shell for dividing the shell into an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber, and an auxiliary chamber, a diaphragm sealed in closure-forming position across the auxiliary chamber, a cap-like end member marginally secured, and extending in outwardly spaced relation, to the diaphragm in the formation of a sealed chamber, the latter being charged with a thermally responsive material,

a duct having an aperture providing communication between said inlet and outlet chambers, means including a movable pin co-operable with said aperture for controlling communication between said inlet and outlet chambers, and actuating means movably responsive to expansion and contraction of the thermally responsive material for actuating the pin.

2..In a control valve for use with a vaporizable liquid, a shell comprising an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber provided with an outlet opening,

and an auxiliary chamber disposed directly be-- neath the outlet chamber and being provided with a thermally responsive material, a duct having an aperture providing communication between said inlet and outlet chambers, said aperture beingin substantially axial alignment with the outlet opening, means including a movable pin co-operable with said aperture for controlling communication between said inlet and outlet chambers, and actuating means movably responsive to expension and contraction of the thermally responsive material for actuating the pin in a line substantially axial with relation to the outlet opening for thereby utilizing a maximum amount of the Jet energy of the liquid flowing out of the duct aperture to propel the liquid out through the outlet opening, leaving a substantially undisturbed volume of vapor below the duct for thermally insulating the auxiliary chamber from the outlet chamber.

3. In a control valve, a shell, a tubular wall member extending through the shell for dividing the shell into an outer chamber and an inner chamber substantially surrounded by the outer chamber, said wall member having a diametrally enlarged portion extending across one end of the outer chamber in the provision of an annular recess, a diaphragm hermetically sealedclosurewise across the recess in the formation of an auxiliary chamber, a duct-forming member extending through the inner chamber and having communication at its ends with the-outer chamber, said member being provided intermediate its I ends with an aperture for communication with the inner chamber, a pin operably mounted in the inner chamber for seating engagement in the duct aperture, a cap hermetically sealed upon the outer face of the diaphragm forming a closed chamber for holding a charge of temperature responsive material adapted to shift the diaphragm responsive to predetermined external conditions of temperature, and means operatively connecting the diaphragm with the pin *for shifting the pin into and from seating engagement with said member.

4. In a control valve, a shell providing an intake chamber and a cylindrical outlet chamber extending axially through the inlet chamber, a tube extending diametrally through the outlet chamber having communicationat its ends with the intake chamber and being provided intermediate its ends with an aperture for communication with the outlet chamber, a pin-carrier disposed for axially slidable movement within the outlet chamber and being slotted for slidably embracing the tube, a pin operably mounted in the pin-carrier for seating engagement in the duct aperture, and temperature responsive means operatively associated with the pin-carrier for shifting the pin into and out of a seating engagement with the carrier responsive to predetermined external conditions of temperature.

5. A valve-body comprising a shallow openfaced shell, a division wall marginally secured to the shell and extending closurewise across the open face thereof and being deformed inwardly toward the'shell in the provision of an outwardly opening recess, said shell and division wall thus forming an inlet chamber, a marginally sealed diaphragm extending closurewise across the division wall and forming an outlet chamber substantially surrounded by and having substantially smaller volume than the inlet chamber, and an end cap marginally secured to the diaphragm and shell in outwardly spaced relationship to the diadivision wall and forming an outlet chamber substantially surrounded by and having substantially smaller volume than the inlet chamber, an end cap marginally secured to the diaphragm and shell in outwardly spaced relationship to the diaphragm forming a sealed chamber for receiving a diaphragm-actuating thermal charge, and -a tube extending through the division wall for permitting fluid-flow from one side of the wall to the other.

7. In a valve for controlling the flow of a vaporizable liquid, a valve-body comprising a shallow open-faced shell, a division wall marginally secured to, and extending across the open face of, the shell, a diaphragm marginally secured to and extending across the division wall, and end cap marginally secured to the diaphragm and shell in outwardly spaced relationship to the diaphragm forming a sealed chamber, a temperature-sensitive substance disposed within said chamber, and means disposed across the inner face of the diaphragm in the formation of an intermediate chamber adapted to entrap a quantity of vapor for thermally insulating the diaphragm fromthe fluid flowing through the valve. 8. In a valve for controlling the flow of a vaporizable refrigerant, a valve-body comprising a shallow open-faced shell, a division wall marginally secured to, and extending across the open face of, the shell, a diaphragm marginally secured to and extending across the division wall, an end cap marginally secured to the diaphragm and shell in outwardly spaced relationship to the diaphragm forming a sealed chamber, a temperature-sensitive substance disposed within said chamber, and a spring having an inert sheath of low thermal conductivity for simultaneously biasing the diaphragm against the temperaturesensitive substance and forming an intermediate chamber adapted to entrap a quantity of vapor for thermally insulating the diaphragm from the fluid flowing through the valve,

9. A valve for controlling the flow of a refrigerant comprising a shallow open-faced shell, a division wall marginally secured to, and extending across the open face of, the shell, a diaphragm marginally secured to and extending across the division wall, diaphragm actuated means operatively mounted in the wall for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, an end cap marg'inally.secured to the diaphragm and shell in outwardly spaced relationship to the diaphragm forming a sealed chamber, a diaphragm actuating temperature-sensitive substance disposed within said chamber in intimate contact with one faceof the diaphragm, and an apertured spring for biasing the diaphragm against the temperature-sensitive substance and maintaining a static layer of gaseous refrigerant against the other face of the diaphragm for insulating the temperature-sensitive material from the temperatures of the fluid flowing through the valve.

10. A thermostatic valve comprising a valvebody having inlet and outlet chambers connected by a duct, throttling means associated with the duct for controlling the rate of flow between the inlet and outlet chambers, said outlet chamber having an enlarged end portion provided with an end cap, a diaphragm secured in and extending across said portion for dividing it into an outer sealed chamber and an auxiliary chamber, a diaphragm-actuating thermal charge in the sealed chamber, and means disposed within the auxiliary chamber ior dividing such chamber to provide a compartment covering a portion of the diaphragm, said means being apertured with respect to the outlet chamber to create a vapor lock against such covered portion of the diaphragm. I

11. In a valve for controlling the flow of a vaporizable refrigerant, a valve-body comprising an open-faced shell, a division wall secured to, and extending across the open face of, the shell, a diaphragm secured to and extending across the division wall, an end cap secured to the diaphragm forming a sealed chamber, a temperature-sensitive substance disposed within said chamber, and means of low thermal conductivity for simultaneously biasing the diaphragm against the temperature-senstive substance and forming an intermediate chamber adapted to entrap a quantity of vapor for thermally insulating the diaphragm from the fluid .flowing through the valve.

12. A valve for controlling the flow of a vaporizable refrigerant in a refrigeration system having'a refrigerant return line, said valve comprising an open-faced shell, a division wall secured to, and extending across the open face of, the shell, 'a diaphragm secured to and extending across the division wall, an end cap secured to the diaphragm forming a sealed chamber, a temperature-sensitive substance disposed within said chamber, means of low thermal conductivity for simultaneously biasing the diaphragm against the temperature-sensitive substance and forming an intermediate chamber adapted to .entrap a quantity of vapor for thermally insulating the diaphragm from the fluid flowing through the valve, and clamp means flxed upon the outer face of the end cap for a'djustably securing the valve upon the refrigerant return line.

13. A control valve for a vaporizable refrigerant comprising an open-ended outer cup member having a transverse end wall, a relatively shallow inner cup member disposed within the open end of the outer cup member having a transverse end wall spaced from the end wall of the outer cup member and provided with a tubular outlet neck projecting through and hermetically sealed to the end wall of said outer cup member, said inner and outer cup members further being hermetically sealed together around the margins of their open ends forming an inlet chamber, means extending through the outer'shell and opening into the inlet chamber for conducting a supply of high-pressure refrigerant into the inlet chamber, means marginally sealed across the open end of the inner cup member forming an outlet chamber within said inner cup member, which outlet chamber is substantially contained within and surrounded bythe inlet chamber and is in heat-exchange relationship therewith, duct means connecting the inlet and outlet chambers, and throttling means shiftably mounted within the outlet chamber and cooperable with the duct means for controlling the flow of refrigerant from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber.

' PARKE H. THOMPSON. 

